Sexual maturation and spatial ability in college students.

194 female and 80 male undergraduates completed mental rotation and card rotation tests of spatial ability and a vocabulary test. Ss were also asked to indicate on a 5-point rating scale when they reached puberty in relation to others of the same sex. Findings provide evidence that the maturation related difference in spatial ability found in adolescents persists into adulthood. Regression analyses demonstrated a significant relation between puberty ratings and performance on the mental rotation test, with later maturers scoring higher than earlier maturers. There were no maturation-related differences on the other tests. Significant sex differences were found on all tests. Consistent with previously reported cognitive differences between males and females, females scored higher on the verbal test, and males scored higher on the 2 spatial tests. (15 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)